Shloka 23

Devanagari script

विचारतः सतां दुःखं स्त्रीसंसर्गादिभिर् द्विजाः दुःखेनैकेन वै दुःखं प्रशाम्यतीह दुःखिनः

Transliteration

vicārataḥ satāṃ duḥkhaṃ strīsaṃsargādibhir dvijāḥ duḥkhenaikena vai duḥkhaṃ praśāmyatīha duḥkhinaḥ

Translation

Hỡi các bậc hai lần sinh (dvija), nhờ quán xét, người hiền nhận ra nỗi khổ phát sinh từ sự chấp trước—khởi đầu từ vướng mắc trong dục lạc và giao du ái nhiễm. Ở đời này, với linh hồn đau khổ (paśu), một nỗi buồn chỉ lắng xuống bởi một nỗi buồn khác, cho đến khi ly tham (vairāgya) bừng dậy và các dây trói (pāśa) bắt đầu rơi rụng dưới Đấng Chủ (Pati).

Word by Word

• विचारतः (vicārataḥ): through reflection/discernment

• सताम् (satām): of the virtuous/noble

• दुःखम् (duḥkham): suffering

• स्त्रीसंसर्गादिभिः (strī-saṃsargādibhiḥ): from association/entanglement with women and the like (i.e., sensual attachments)

• द्विजाः (dvijāḥ): O twice-born (Brāhmaṇas)

• दुःखेन (duḥkhena): by/through suffering

• एकेन (ekena): by one (single)

• वै (vai): indeed

• दुःखम् (duḥkham): suffering

• प्रशाम्यति (praśāmyati): becomes pacified/settled

• इह (iha): here (in this world)

• दुःखिनः (duḥkhinaḥ): the sorrowful/afflicted beings

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching as part of the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Linga worship as a discipline of vicāra and vairāgya: by seeing how attachment produces duḥkha, the paśu turns toward Pati (Śiva) and loosens pāśa, making pūjā a means of inner purification rather than mere outer ritual.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva-tattva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord beyond the cycle where one duḥkha cancels another. When discernment arises, the soul seeks the stable refuge of Śiva, who alone ends bondage rather than rearranging suffering.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights yogic discernment (vicāra) and dispassion (vairāgya), foundational to Pāśupata-oriented practice: restraining sensual entanglement, reflecting on duḥkha, and redirecting mind and conduct toward Śiva through steady sādhana and pūjā.